"But on Thursday, his team failed to do either. He was hit by an athlete who was his match, showing that a similar style can be even more daring and that there are other ways to win.

"This tiresome script did not help him win the Champions League during his three years in Madrid ... nor now with Chelsea."

'Glorious Atlético set up historic Madrid derby'

Iñako Díaz-Guerra writing in AS sounded happy this morning after his long wait for a Champions League final spot is over.

"Let’s start with the obvious: Atlético Madrid are Champions League finalists. I know it’s hardly an original line, but I had been longing to write the phrase; it’s one that had waited 40 years, collecting dust in the memory of several generations of Atlético fans, that beautiful coat that they had given up hope of pulling on once more.

"I had yearned to write it and read it. Again and again until 24 May, when Lisbon will be the capital of Spain and the feat achieved by Diego Simeone’s team, by those heroes who picked themselves up after Fernando Torres’ goal and put on a stunning display at Stamford Bridge, could become the greatest science-fiction adventure ever told."

'All eyes on Madrid at Estádio da Luz'

'From Madrid to the sky' reads the splash on Marca

"It's a Madrid derby showdown for the Champions League final. For the first time in the tournament's history, two teams from the same city are to go head to head for the honour of lifting Ol' Big Ears.

"For Real Madrid it marks a return to the European final which has been 12 years coming. After three consecutive campaigns being cut short at the semi-final stage, Real will have a chance at winning their 'Décima'.

"For Atlético, it is an altogether different experience. The 'Rojiblancos' have not been part of a game like this for 40 years, when they were cruelly denied victory at the hands of Bayern Munich.

"The late Luis Aragonés was one of the players in that team, and not having won Europe's top competition for his club was always a source of deep disappointment for him. 40 years later, Cholo's Atléti have an opportunity to redress matters."